Custody Visiting

Objective

The purpose of the Scheme is to enable volunteer members of the
local community to observe, comment and report on the conditions
under which persons are detained at police stations. These
arrangements also provide an independent check on the way police
offices carry out their duties with regard to detained persons and
therefore increase public confidence in these matters.

The Scheme

The Scheme is operated by the Office of the Police and Crime
Commissioner for West Yorkshire, a body independent of
West Yorkshire Police.

Custody Visitors are volunteers.

All custody visits are undertaken in pairs.

Custody Visitors are expected to make a minimum of 24 visits
per year (as far as possible spread evenly throughout the
year).

Custody Visitors are encouraged to make visits anytime during
the day or night.

All custody visits are made without prior notice to the custody
suites.

Custody Visitors can visit any of the 5 principal custody
suites within West Yorkshire.

Visiting Arrangements

Although Custody Visitors may be directed to visit specified
Police Stations on rostered visits, in the majority of cases they
can choose when and where to visit.

On arrival in the custody suite, Custody Visitors speak to the
custody staff about the people being detained. Custody Visitors
can only speak to detainees who agree to speak to them.
The discussions with the detainees focus upon their welfare, rights
and entitlements during their detention and the Custody Visitors
can raise issues with the custody staff on the detainees'
behalf.

Custody Visitors also inspect and report on the conditions of
cells, detention rooms, medical rooms, washing and kitchen areas,
exercise yards and the operation of CCTV systems.

Appointment of Custody Visitors

Applicants are appointed for a 3-year period and must:-

Reside or work in the county of West Yorkshire.

Be over 18 years of age (at the time of appointment).

Applications will not be considered from the
following:

People who are currently:-

(a) a Justice of the Peace in West Yorkshire; or
(b) an Officer of a Police Force (including serving members of the
Special Constabulary and support staff employees); or
(c) an officer of the Probation Service, the Prison Service and
the Crown Prosecution Service
(d) subject to restriction under the OPCC's Unresonable/Persistent
Complainants Policy

Applications may be considered from the following:

People who have previously been:

(a) a Justice of the Peace in West Yorkshire; or
(b) an Officer of a Police Force (including members of the Special
Constabulary and support staff employees); or
(c) an officer of the Probation Service, the Prison Service and
the Crown Prosecution Service
(d) subject to restriction under the OPCC's Unresonable/Persistent
Complainants Policy

If you have any concerns about your eligibility, please contact
the Scheme Administrator.

Application is by completion of an application form, including an
equal opportunities monitoring questionnaire. If you are
shortlisted you will be asked to attend for a short
interview.

All applicants selected for appointment will be vetted in
accordance with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for
West Yorkshire's vetting procedures.

Scheme Administrator Contact Details

History

Following an enquiry into the Brixton and Toxteth Disorders in
1981, Lord Scarman's report recommended that random checks be made
by persons other than police officers on interview and detention of
suspects in police custody.

Following successful pilots, the West Yorkshire Independent
Custody Visiting Scheme was introduced in 1983.

A number of changes to the operation of the Scheme have been made
over the years; most recently, Section 51 of the Police Reform Act
2002 placed custody visiting on a statutory footing

In preparing the Scheme, the Office of the Police and Crime
Commissioner for West Yorkshire has had regard to the Code of
Practice on Independent Custody Visiting issued by the Home Office
under section 51(6) of the Act

Recruitment

If you are interested in applying to be an Independent Custody
Visitor, please click here to visit the
ICV recruitment page.